SCHNEIDER: Fisher potential No. 1 status makes this as big a week as any in CMU's athletics history

CMUís Eric Fisher, who left for New York City Sunday, makes a block in the Little Caesarís Pizza Bowl versus Western Kentucky back on Dec. 26, 2012. Fisher is projected as a top 5-10 pick and many mock drafts have him going to Detroit with the fifth pick, while others have him going No. 1 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs. (Sun file photo)

When Eric Fisher had his media session last month following Central Michiganís Pro Day, a question was asked to him about whether he paid attention to NFL mock drafts.

His response: ďCoaches and general managers have the real draft so I donít need to pay attention to anyone else.Ē

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Well, I canít argue with that logic but letís look at the mock draft picture anyway.

I recently blogged about 16 different mock drafts from prominent so-called experts and where they see Fisher landing in Thursday nightís first round of the NFL Draft. Five of the 16 mock drafts that I linked to have the 6-foot-8 and 305-pound Central Michigan product going No. 1 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now the question arises as to whether that would be the biggest story in Central Michigan University athletics history if Fisher is the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. I think the answer to that is yes.

Football is clearly the most ballyhooed athletic program at CMU and for good reason. Only once before has a Chippewa gone in the first round of the NFL draft, that being Joe Staley to the San Francisco 49ers in 2007 at No. 28.

Even if Fisher does not go No. 1 overall, he will surely be the highest Central Michigan football player selected and it will be a shock if he falls past No. 5. My gut feeling is that if he is there for the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 4, that is where he will go, but look out for the San Diego Chargers to perhaps trade up from No. 11 as they are desperate for a left tackle.

Fisher played a round of golf Sunday morning and then made his way to New York City for a week that will change his life. He saw the full scope of the media attention directed his way Monday as his schedule was full from one interview to the next. By my count, he did at least eight different national interviews with the likes of such people as Jim Rome, Jay Mohr, and Mike Florio.

Has Central Michigan University ever had exposure like this as far as athletics go?

Any way you slice it, it is going to be a very interesting night Thursday to see where Fisher will land.

Even better, Fisher is not the kind of guy that slid by on talent to get to this point. It is well-documented that Fisher never played at more than 238 pounds while at Stoney Creek High School and played linebacker while also handling punting duties. It wasnít until he approached Stoney Creek head coach Calvin Gross about wanting to play college football that he was advised with his body type was best suited for the offensive line, so that is where Fisher moved for his senior year.

Fisher was given a scholarship by former CMU head coach Butch Jones, then became a fixture first at right tackle and now his current left tackle spot the past few years under Dan Enos.

Coming into the 2012 campaign, there were murmurs that Fisher could be a first-round selection the following April and he backed it up with outstanding play all season long. But no one really anticipated the top-five talk until he dominated at the Senior Bowl in January.

Staley has played a mentor role for Fisher as he has prepared for the NFL Draft and what will be a brand-new lifestyle. The Pro Bowl left tackle with the Niners, fresh off an appearance in the Super Bowl, has been in close contact with Fisher through texts and other means as the draft nears.

ďItís nice to see a kid from Central Michigan and kind of take the same path I did,Ē said Staley in an interview with CMUChippewas.com. ďHe is making his own headway and heíll be the highest pick in Central Michigan history. I think thatís pretty cool.Ē

While in NYC these past two days, Fisher has not only been busy doing media interviews as he has also seen some of the sights of the great city. He has also gone to the top of the Empire State Building and was on the main stage at Saturday Night Live.

Itís certainly a fun week for the big guy, but there will be some pressure to live up to his billing once he is drafted Thursday. It is clear, however, that Fisher has complete confidence in his ability and is bound to be a good fit no matter who takes him.

There is the dilemma the Chiefs have in that they have a left tackle in Branden Albert who they franchised. There is a chance Kansas City will attempt to trade Albert or have their draft pick (Fisher or Texas A&Mís Luke Joeckel) move to right tackle for a year as Albert will almost certainly not be on the roster in 2014.

There have been reports that many on the Chiefsí staff prefer Fisher over Joeckel as Fisher might be a little bit more raw, but he has a bigger upside according to many scouts.

In past years, it has been common for the No. 1 overall pick to have a contract signed prior to the draft. That hasnít been the case under the terms of the latest collective bargaining agreement, so itís likely that no hard info about the direction Kansas City is going with its choice will be available before Thursday nightís first round.

To Fisherís credit, he has expressed the willingness to play right tackle for a year if that is what helps his new team best. He has experience at basically every offensive line position, even filling in at center during spring football at CMU a few years ago when there was a lack of centers available.

I can assure you Fisher wonít be a center in the NFL, but tales like that show his unselfishness.

Fisher is not even the only Central Michigan player who might get drafted. Offensive guard Darren Keyton recently did a chat with the Detroit Free Press where he said he has been told he could go as high as the fourth round. Safety Jahleel Addae has the potential to be a late round selection, while wide receiver Cody Wilson has a shot at either being drafted late or signing with a team as a free agent post-draft.

All in all, this week is gigantic for the Central Michigan football program and the university as a whole. Itís not every day where a mid-major school has this level of national exposure fall into their lap.

Itís been a long journey, but come Thursday night Fisher can finally pay attention to a real draft and not have to ignore the fake ones.

The day will be his and heís earned that right.

Nate Schneider may be reached at 989-779-6060, nschneider@michigannewspapers.com or follow him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/natejschneider. His blog can be found at http://sunsportsblog.blogspot.com.